Game Day: Rangers @ Canadiens (2/5)The Rangers take on the Habs in an Original-Six matinee.

The Rangers have enjoyed the long-awaited returns of Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky.

New York Rangers @
Montreal Canadiens

Saturday, 2:00
p.m.

Bell Centre

Rangers Record: 29-21-4

Canadiens Record: 29-18-5

On, Feb. 5, the Rangers travel to Montreal for an
Original Six matinee match-up with the Canadiens. The Rangers are coming off a loss
against the Devils, which included the pulling of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist,
historically very successful against New Jersey. New York has yet to win since
the All-Star break, despite the return of most of its extensive list of injured
players. Montreal, contrarily, are 8-2-2 over their last 12 games, making a
surging comeback into the playoff battle and sitting both one place and one
point ahead of the Rangers with the sixth spot in the East.

The Rangers are finally getting close to healthy, with the
post-break return of defenseman Dan Girardi and forwards Ryan Callahan, Brandon
Dubinsky and, most recently, Vinny Prospal. Prospal played in his first game of
the season on Thursday, after undergoing off-season knee surgery. In his first
game back, Prospal was able to score a goal, continuing the Rangers’ just-short
comeback from a 3-0 deficit. Callahan also scored on Thursday, making it the
second straight game in which he has recorded a goal since returning from
injury.

Rangers’ forwards Derek Boogaard, Erik Christensen and
Ruslan Fedotenko remain unavailable to play due to injury. The Canadiens will
likely be without forward Michael Cammalleri, which is a benefit to the
Rangers, since he has previously has great success against New York, tallying 11
points (6G, 5A) in only eight games.

The Canadiens have been on fire lately, winning their only
two games since the All-Star break and earning at least a point in four of
their last five games. Post-break games always have playoff implications, and
this match-up is no different. With the fifth through ninth spots in the
East separated by only eight points, every win is of the utmost importance,
especially those against close competitors. This game is a must-win for both
teams—expect the intensity, always high in an Original Six game, to be at
playoff-level. For certain, this is not going to be a lazy Saturday afternoon.